Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), former military president, has admitted that one of his biggest regrets in office was failing to retire Sani Abacha from the army. Babangida revealed this in his autobiography, A Journey in Service, where he described Abacha as a “complex character” who mobilized negative opinions against him within the military.
According to Premium Times reports, Babangida said: “Abacha plotted to remove him violently from office, but he chose not to retire him to avoid a possible bloodbath.” He explained that the military was deeply divided, and any move against Abacha could have led to chaos or even civil war.
IBB also addressed the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election. He blamed Abacha for the annulment, stating that he underestimated the opposition to civil rule within the military’s top hierarchy. Babangida expressed shock at Abacha’s deep dislike for MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the election, despite their seemingly cordial relationship.
While acknowledging his role in the political crisis of that time, Babangida insisted that some senior officers, including Chief of Army Staff Salihu Ibrahim, supported a return to civil rule. However, others in the military wanted indefinite military rule.
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